Multiple shotgun firing mechanism



M y 1957 M. G. ANGELOS ETAL 3,316,810

MULTIPLE SHOTGUN FIRING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS, mz'zc/rell 6. /4n9e/as, fiober/ (J. Sc mepfe,

Jacob 30517005140, H

M. G. ANGELOS ETAL 3,316,810

May 2, 1967 MULTIPLE SHOTGUN FIRING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledAug. 26, 1965 INVENTOR);

United States Patent Army Filed Aug. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 482,954 3Claims. (CI. 89-28) This invention relates to a multiple shotgun firingmechanism and more particularly to a mechanism for firing a plurality ofshotguns or like weapons.

The present invention is especially adapted for mounting on militaryvehicles such as jeeps, etc., and is particularly useful as a defenseweapon against a sudden ambush and at a comparatively close range.

The firing mechanism consists, briefiy of a bracket having a sliding,spring biased plate which is provided with three aligned firing pins,the center one being released by a solenoid connected to a source ofelectrical energy such as a vehicles electrical system.

Existing multifiring devices have been unreliable due to such forces asvibration and shock causing premature firing of the weapons.

The firing mechanism of this invention is further provided with a uniquesafety feature consisting of a safety pin that normally prevents axialmovement of the firing pins but which is removed by a second solenoidwhen it is desired to free the firing pin for release by the first solenoid.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a multipleshotgun firing mechanism for firing a plurality of shotguns, or likeweapons, simultaneously.

Another object is to provide a firing mechanism having a positive lockin the cocked position to prevent the firing pins from releasing due tovibration or shock.

A further object is to provide positive alignment of the firing pinswhen the mechanism is actuated.

A final object is to provide a safety means to prevent the actuation ofthe firing mechanism by premature release of the positive lock.

These and other objects advantages of the present invention will befully apparent from the following description when taken in connectionwith the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the firing mechanism of this inventionillustrating two units assembled;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a similar, fragmentary view and showing the mechanism in itsfired position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial similar view showing the lock in its releasedposition; and,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the safety means and takenalong line 77 of FIG. 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, reference character 1 indicatesgenerally the firing mechanism of the invention and consists of at leastone unit comprising a mounting plate 2 having holes 3 at its rearwardend for the purpose of mounting on a vehicle, etc.

A breech block 4 is fixed to the forward end of the plate 2 which isdesigned for receiving a plurality of shotgun barrels or like weapons.The barrels are not shown, neither is the manner of their mounting,since they do not form a part of this invention and since many types ofweapons could be fired by the mechanism, such as sawed-off shotguns,clips of scatter shot ammunition, etc. The shape of the breech block 4would necessarily be designed to fit the particular type weapon orcharge to be fired therefrom. As shown, breech block 4 is arcuate at itsforward end for directing shot in a fan like manner to cover a widearea.

A back plate 5 is spaced rearwardly from breech block 4 and is connectedto the rear end thereof by four rods 6. Plate 5 is fixed on rods 6 andis therefore stationary.

A firing pin plate 7 is slidable on rods 6 and is normally biased awayfrom plate 5 by coil springs 8 which encircle each rod 6.

Firing pin plate 7 carries two fixed firing pins 9 and one centralfiring pin 10 threadable therein. All firing pins 9 and 10 are inhorizontal alignment and are, fur, ther, evenly spaced.

Firing pin 10 is provided rearwardly with an enlarged, external threadedportion 11, which is threadedly engaged centrally in firing pin plate 7,and a reduced, rearwardly extending, externally threaded portion 12which is threadably engaged in a cylindrical shaft 13.

Shaft 13 is slidable in a tubular housing 14 which is fixed at itsrearward end centrally in back plate 5.

Firing pin 10, portions 11 and 12 and shaft 13 are in axial alignment.

Shaft 13 is provided with annular reduced portion 15 and an annulargroove 16 as shown and housing 14 is provided with a forwardly disposedreduced portion 17, one radially disposed bore 18 and three radiallydisposed bores 19 located between reduced portion 17 and bore 18, allfor a purpose to be described.

An annular cam lever 20 is rotatably mounted on reduced portion 17 onhousing 14 and is secured thereon by a snap ring 21.

Cam lever 20 is provided with an integral, perforated clevis 22 andthree grooves 23 formed in its inner peripheral surface.

Three steel ball 24 are received, one each, in radial bores 19 and ridein groove 16, as best seen in FIG. 5.

Means are provided for the rotation of cam lever 20 and consist of afiring solenoid 25 mounted on a plate 26 which is fixed on breech block4. The solenoid 25 is provided with an armature 27 which is normallyurged outwardly by a spring 28 (see FIG. 5). Armature 27 is connected toa linkage 29, which is pivotally mounted on a pin fixed to breech block4. The other end of linkage 29 has a forked end straddling a pin 22through clevis 22 of cam lever 20. The outer end of pin 30 is supportedby an upstanding car 31 fixed on back plate 5.

The rotation of cam lever 20 is limited by stop pins 32 which are fixedto back plate 5.

Means are provided for locking firing pin 10 against axial movement inhousing 14 and consists of a safety pin 33 normally slidably throughradial bore 18 and received in reduced portion 15 in shaft 13.

A safety solenoid 34 fixed on plate 26 is provided with an. armature 35connected to a linkage 36 pivoted on pin 30. Linkage 36 is pivoted atits other end to pin 33' as seen in FIG. 7.

In use, the mounting plate 2 is bolted to a vehicle through holes 3.Solenoids 25 and 34 are in electrical connection with the vehicleselectrical systems and appropriate switches (not shown) are placed atconvenient locations for closing an electric circuit (also not shown) toenergize the solenoids.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mounting plate 2 with two firing units, which makesfor six firings. Hence six shotgun barrels (not shown) withappropriately designed mountings (also not shown) are mounted in breechblock 4 so that a firing pin 9 or 10 will be aligned with a cartridgedetonator in its firing chamber. Each unit has three firing pins. Moreunits can be utilized if desired by using 3 a mounting plate having agreater are. The plate shown in FIG. 1 has an arc of 50.

The mechanism 1 will be in cocked position as shown in FIG. 3, whereinballs 24 are locked in annular groove 16 with shaft 13 retracted. Firingpin plate 7 and pin 10 are also retracted. As long as cam lever is notrotated, balls 24 lock shaft 13 against axial movement.

When solenoid 25 is energized, armature 27 is retracted and, throughlinkage 29 which pivots on pin 30, cam lever is rotated (see FIGS. 5 and6) balls 24 are cammed out of annular groove 16 and enter grooves 23 thureleasing shaft 13 to move forward under bias of spring 8 and plate 7carrying firing pins 9 will cause the firing of three rounds ofammunition.

The safety pin 33, does not prevent rotation of the cam lever 20, butprevents shaft 13 and its firing pin 10 from axial movement. To removepin 33 from reduced portion on 13, solenoid 34- is energized by aseparate switch (not shown) and armature 35 retracts and pivots linkage36 about pin 30 and pin 33 Will be lifted upwardly and outwardly frombore 18.

Upon de-energization of solenoids 25 and 34, the mechanism may berecocked. The firing pin plate 7 is pushed back until balls 24 fall intoannular groove 16 (spring 28 will have caused rotation of cam lever 20)and safety pin 33 will be urged into reduced portion 15 by a returnspring 37 which biases between a pin 38 and a plate 39 fixed on backplate 5. Hence the only manual operation necessary is to push back onplate 7 until it is automatically locked in cocked position.

The firing mechanism of this invention, while shown as used for amultiple firing arrangement, could as well be used for a single fire. Asmany firing pins can be carried by the firing pin plate as is feasible.

It is apparent that an improved firing mechanism has been devisedaffording a positive lock in its cocked position as well as having anefficient safety feature ncorporated therein.

While only a preferred form of the invention has been shown anddescribed, other forms of the invention are contemplated and numerouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A firing mechanism for firing a plurality of weapons simultaneouslycomprising, a mounting plate, a breech block secured to said mountingplate, a series of rearwardly extending rods fixed to said breech block,a back plate fixed to the rearward ends of said rods, a spring biasedfiring plate slidable on said rods, at least three horizontally aligned,symmetrically spaced firing pins fixed on said firing plate and slidablethrough said breech block, the central one of said pins having arearwardly extending threaded portion, a tubular housing having a radialbore therein and fixed centrally in and extending forwardly from saidback plate, a shaft, having an annular reduced portion, slidable in saidtubular housing, said shaft being threadably engaged with said threadedportion of said central firing pin, a first electrically operatingtriggering means, supported on said breech block and associated withsaid tubular housing for releasably holding said firing plate in acocked position relative to said breech block and a second electricallyoperated safety means, supported on said breech block for releasablylocking said firing plate in said cocked position comprising an electricsolenoid having a sliding armature, a safety pin slidable through saidradial bore in said tubular housing and in said annular reduced portionof said shaft and a spring loaded link connecting said armature and saidpin whereby when said solenoid is energized said pin will be withdrawnfrom said annular reduced portion on said shaft to permit release ofsaid firing plate by said first electrically operated means.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said three firing pins areparallelly arranged and said breech block is arcuately formed to receivemore than one firing mechanism to provide diverging firing of weaponstherefrom.

3. A multiple firing mechanism comprising in combination, a mountingplate for attachment on a vehicle, an arcuate breech block secured tothe forward end of said mounting plate, a series of rods fixed to andextending rearwardly from said breech block, a back plate fixed on therearward ends of said rods, a spring braised firing plate slidable onsaid rods, at least three horizontally aligned firing pins fixed on saidfiring plate and slidable through said breech block, a firstelectrically operated means supported by said breech block forreleasably retaining said firing plate in a cocked position relative tosaid breech block comprising a forwardly extending tubular housing fixedcentrally in said back plate, there being a series of radial bores inthe forward portion of said housing, a shaft slidable in said housingand being attached to the central firing pin of said plurality of firingpins, a cam lever having a series of grooves in its inner peripheralsurface and being rotatably mounted on said tubular housing, anelectrical solenoid, having a spring loaded sliding armature, supportedon said breech block, a linkage connecting said armature with saidlever, a steel ball nested in each said radial bore in said tubularhousing whereby when said solenoid is energized, said linkage willrotate said cam lever and each said steel ball will fall into acorresponding said groove in said cam lever whereby said firing pins andsaid firing plate will move forward as a unit, and a second electricallyoperated means supported by said breech block for releasably lockingsaid firing plate in said cocked position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 928,344 7/1909Swahn 89-28 1,340,111 5/1920 Bonali. 2,717,042 9/1955 Grant et a1 891 X2,761,128 8/1956 Webb 89-28 X 3,214,857 11/1965 Tyrone et al. 4269FOREIGN PATENTS 850,162 2/ 1896 Germany.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner.

1. A FIRING MECHANISM FOR FIRING A PLURALITY OF WEAPONS SIMULTANEOUSLYCOMPRISING, A MOUNTING PLATE, A BREECH BLOCK SECURED TO SAID MOUNTINGPLATE, A SERIES OF REAWRWARDLY EXTENDING RODS FIXED TO SAID BREECHBLOCK, A SPRING PLATE FIXED TO THE REARWARD ENDS OF SAID RODS, A SPRINGBIASED FIRING PLATE SLIDABLE ON SAID RODS, AT LEAST THREE HORIZONTALLYALIGNED, SYMMETRICALLY SPACED FIRING PINS FIXED ON SAID FIRING PLATE ANDSLIDABLE THROUGH SAID BREECH BLOCK, THE CENTRAL ONE OF SAID PINS HAVINGA REARWARDLY EXTENDING THREADED PORTION, A TUBULAR HOUSING HAVING ARADIAL BORE THEREIN AND FIXED CENTRALLY IN AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROMSAID BACK PLATE, A SHAFT, HAVING AN ANNULAR REDUCED PORTION, SLIDABLE INSAID TUBULAR HOUSING, SAID SHAFT BEING THREADABLY ENGAGED WITH SAIDTHREADED PORTION OF SAID CENTRAL FIRING PIN, A FIRST ELECTRICALLYOPERATING TRIGGERING MEANS, SUPPORTED ON SAID BREECH BLOCK ANDASSOCIATED WITH SAID TUBULAR HOUSING FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID FIRINGPLATE IN A COCKED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BREECH BLOCK AND A SECONDELECTRICALLY OPERATED SAFETY MEANS, SUPPORTED ON SAID BREECH BLOCK FORRELEASABLY LOCKING SAID FIRING PLATE IN SAID COCKED POSITION COMPRISINGAN ELECTRIC SOLENOID HAVING A SLIDING ARMATURE, A SAFETY PIN SLIDABLETHROUGH SAID RADIAL BORE IN SAID TUBULAR HOUSING AND IN SAID ANNULARREDUCED PORTION OF SAID SHAFT AND A SPRING LOADED LINK CONNECTING SAIDARMATURE AND SAID PIN WHEREBY WHEN SAID SOLENOID IS ENERGIZED SAID PINWILL BE WITH DRAWN FROM SAID ANNULAR REDUCED PORTION ON SAID SHAFT TOPERMIT RELEASE OF SAID FIRING PLATE BY SAID FIRST ELECTRICALLY OPERATEDMEANS.